Multiple-person walking simulator

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to walking simulators. In one embodiment of the present invention, the walking simulator includes a support frame, a handlebar, and a pair of swing arms. Each swing arm is pivotally-mounted to the support frame and includes a foot pedal proximal to the distal end of the swing arm. A user can place one foot on each foot pedal and grasp the handlebar. The user can alternately swing one swing arm in front of the other to simulate a walking motion through muscle contractions in the hip muscles and various other muscle groups.

1 . A multiple-person walking simulator for physical exercise, the multiple-person walking simulator comprising:
 a support frame;   a handlebar interconnected to the support frame; and   a number of exercise stations, each exercise station including a pair of swing arms, each swing arm having a proximal end pivotally mounted to the support frame and a distal end interconnected to a foot pedal.   
     
     
         2 . The multiple-person walking simulator of  claim 1  wherein the support frame further includes a number of vertical support posts. 
     
     
         3 . The multiple-person walking simulator of  claim 1  wherein the support frame further includes
 a horizontal base; and   a number of support bars.   
     
     
         4 . The multiple-person walking simulator of  claim 3  wherein the horizontal base further includes one or more of
 a front horizontal front base bar;   a rear horizontal base bar;   a side horizontal base bar;   a middle horizontal base bar; and   a transverse horizontal base bar.   
     
     
         5 . The multiple-person walking simulator of  claim 1  further including a number of flat bars for anchoring the multiple-person walking simulator to the ground. 
     
     
         6 . The multiple-person walking simulator of  claim 5  wherein each flat bar includes a number of mounting apertures. 
     
     
         7 . The multiple-person walking simulator of  claim 6  wherein the multiple-person walking simulator can be anchored to a cement footing by partially sinking a bolt into the cement footing and passing the exposed portion of the bolt through the mounting aperture of one of the flat bars and tightening a locking nut onto the bolt. 
     
     
         8 . The multiple-person walking simulator of  claim 1  wherein the multiple-person walking simulator can be anchored to the ground by sinking a number of the vertical support posts into cement footings. 
     
     
         9 . The multiple-person walking simulator of  claim 1  wherein each foot pedal further includes a toe plate. 
     
     
         10 . The multiple-person walking simulator of  claim 1  wherein a support block interconnects each foot pedal to a swing arm. 
     
     
         11 . The multiple-person walking simulator of  claim 1  wherein the handlebar is interconnected to the support frame at a number of vertical support posts. 
     
     
         12 . The multiple-person walking simulator of  claim 11  wherein a number of support webbings interconnect the handlebar to the number of vertical support posts to provide mechanical support. 
     
     
         13 . The multiple-person walking simulator of  claim 11  wherein the handlebar includes a mounting cuff that can be tightened onto one or more of the vertical support posts to secure the handlebar in place. 
     
     
         14 . The multiple-person walking simulator of  claim 1  further including a number of pivot caps, each pivot cap placed over the a proximal end of a swing arm pivotally mounted to the support frame. 
     
     
         15 . The multiple-person walking simulator of  claim 2  further including a number of dome-shaped caps, each dome-shaped cap placed over the top end of a vertical support post. 
     
     
         16 . The multiple-person walking simulator of  claim 1  interconnected to an elliptical trainer. 
     
     
         17 . A method for simulating walking, the method comprising:
 providing a multiple-person walking simulator, the multiple-person walking simulator including a support frame, a handlebar interconnected to the support frame, and a number of exercise stations, each exercise station including a first swing arm and a second swing arm, the first swing arm having a proximal end pivotally mounted to the support frame and a distal end interconnected to a first foot pedal, and the second swing arm having a proximal end pivotally mounted to the support frame and a distal end interconnected to a second foot pedal;   placing a left foot on the first foot pedal and a right foot on the second foot pedal;   grabbing the handlebar;   repeatedly alternating hip rotations while pushing forward on either the first foot pedal or the second foot pedal while pushing backward on the other of the two foot pedals.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the support frame further includes a number of vertical support posts. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17  further including a number of flat bars for anchoring the multiple-person walking simulator to the ground, each flat bar including a number of mounting apertures through which one or more bolts can be passed. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the multiple-person walking simulator can be anchored to a cement footing by partially sinking a bolt into the cement footing and passing the exposed portion of the bolt through the mounting aperture of one of the flat bars and tightening a locking nut onto the bolt.